The 2013 draws 1.5 complaints per run and the 2015 1, a 1.5-fold gap within the same model. Half of all complaints arrive by 4 years of age, so 65% land after the 4-year basic warranty ends. The system owners report most is Electrical System, with 5 complaints, typically at 7.8 years.
BMW 640i years to avoid — and the best ones
| Model year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Enough history? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 4 | 4 | yes | |
| 2014 | 7 | 7 | yes | |
| 2013 | 6 | 4 | yes |
Does the market discount it? In our listings a 2013 640i asks a median $12,900, against $13,999 for a 2014, the next model year: about 8% less, so sellers do price some of the trouble in.
Among the 3 BMW 640i years with enough history, the three to walk away from are 2013, 2014, 2015; the three worth hunting are 2015, 2014, 2013.
When it starts to break
| Age at failure | Complaints | Running total | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 10% | covered | |
| 2 years | 25% | covered | |
| 3 years | 35% | covered | |
| 4 years | 55% | you pay | |
| 6 years | 75% | you pay | |
| 7 years | 80% | you pay | |
| 8 years | 90% | you pay | |
| 11 years | 95% | you pay | |
| 12 years | 100% | you pay |
Basic warranty on this car is 4 years / 50,000 miles. Only 35% of reported failures happen inside it — the remaining 65% come out of the owner's pocket. Powertrain cover (4 years / 50,000 miles) reaches further, but it only covers the engine and transmission, which account for about 25% of the complaints here.
What actually fails — and at what age
On the BMW 640i, the early trouble is Wheels and Power Train — reported at around 1.7 years, so a car still under warranty is the one to check for it. What waits further out is Electrical System at 7.8 years — past every basic warranty, and the bill lands on whoever owns the car then.
| System | Complaints | Typical age | Crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 7.8 yrs | 1 | 1 | |
| Engine | 5.5 yrs | — | — | |
| Structure | 5 yrs | — | — | |
| Wheels | 1.7 yrs | — | — | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 6 yrs | — | — | |
| Air Bags | 6 yrs | 1 | — | |
| Power Train | 2 yrs | — | — | |
| Visibility/wiper | 3 yrs | — | — |
What else in this class
6 models share the 640i's vehicle class.
| Same class as the 640i | Complaints on record | Recall campaigns | Years built |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honda Civic | 413 | 1981–2026 | |
| Ford Mustang | 315 | 1981–2026 | |
| Nissan GT-R | 9 | 2009–2026 | |
| Chevrolet Camaro | 204 | 1981–2026 | |
| Toyota Supra | 35 | 1981–2026 | |
| Nissan Sentra | 158 | 1982–2026 |
The table shows totals on record; the rates per production run are in the sentence above.
Good year or bad year — the VIN settles it.
- Check any VIN against complaints for its exact build year and plant
- Exact value for that car, adjusted for its mileage
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
- Alerts if a recall lands on a car in your garage
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Frequently asked questions
Is the BMW 640i reliable?
By complaints per production run it is better than typical: 1.11 against 3.73 for the average car.
Which 640i years should you avoid?
By complaints per production run, 2013, 2014, 2015. The cleanest years old enough to judge are 2015, 2014, 2013. Years newer than 6 are left out: complaints keep arriving for years after a car is sold.
When do 640i problems usually start?
Half of all complaints arrive by 4 years of age. The most reported system is Electrical System, typically at 7.8 years, followed by Engine.
Will the warranty cover 640i problems?
Mostly not: basic cover is 4 years / 50,000 miles, and only 35% of reported failures fall inside it. Powertrain cover lasts longer, but engine and transmission make up about 25% of the complaints here.
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